Bangladesh v England, 1st ODI: 5 talking Points

England scripted a dramatic turnaround in the final overs to snatch a thrilling 21 run win over hosts Bangladesh in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka.

Opting to bat first after calling it right during toss time, England went on to post a challenging 310 runs target for the hosts to chase with the help of fifty from Ben Duckett and a wonderful century from Ben Stokes. Bangladesh, in reply, were cruising towards a straight forward victory.

Opener Imrul Kayes played match-defining knock to keep the Englishmen at bay. However, fast bowler Jake Ball and leg-spinner Adil Rashid then brought a massive turnaround and rattled the Bangladeshi batting order to clear bowl them 21 runs short of the target after being in a winning position.

1.Military drill outside Shere Bangla:

The Bangladesh army held a security drill at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka ahead of the ODI series against England. The drill involved shootouts and hostage scenarios in front of the England’s dressing room. The military men conducted a quick mock drill where they dramatized a rescue operation.

Recent terrorist attacks In Dhaka led to England ODI skipper Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales pull themselves out of the tour. Terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in the capital city of Dhaka in Bangladesh saw 18 foreigners getting killed. This led to ECB quickly putting a question mark over the possibility of the series. However, ECB director, Andrew Strauss, however later gave a green signal to the tour after a security assessment.

2. Duckett stars on debut:

A highly successful 2016 season with Northampton shire saw Ben Duckett getting his maiden ODI call-up. He was among the three new faces chosen to prove their worth ii the small tour. He did not disappoint and made a very positive start to his international career.

Duckett, who is rated as one of the most aggressive and dynamic batsmen in the English domestic circuit, played with a measured approach but he provided vital support to Ben Stokes, stitching a 153 for the 4th  wicket. The 21-year-old batsman unassumingly reached his half-century off 63 balls before getting cleaned bowled by Shafiul Islam just after getting a life on 59.

3. Stokes slams his maiden century:

Ben Stokes today registered his long overdue ODI ton today with his fabulous knock of 101 off 100 balls. Batting at No 5, Stokes’ sensible inning included four sixes and 8 fours and helped England reach a 300 plus total. The left-hander, controlled his natural attacking instinct and rescued England from a shaky position, knitting a 151 for the fourth wicket with debutant Duckett. He kept the Bangladesh attack at bay and then began to punish them later on. Stokes also helped by the poor fielding of the Bangladesh side and received two lifelines when batting on 69 and 71. Stokes, unfortunately, could capitalize the last ten over after losing his wicket in 42nd wicket falling to the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza.

4. Stubborn Imrul Kayes:

Bangladesh’s chase revolved around the brilliance of opener Imrul Kayes who hit a magnificent 112 off 119 balls to keep the Bangladeshi on top of the Englishmen. The hosts had a stiff target to chase the batting order really needed to be stable to nail the chase. Kayes offered that stability.

Coming out to open the inning with Tamim Iqbal, he put up a steady 42 runs for the first wicket and later spearheaded the task single-handedly with no support from the other end. Unfortunately, his efforts went in vain as his team crumbled badly to lose the match. Bangladesh could have clearly wrapped the game in their favor had the likes of Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushafiqur Rahim occupied the crease for much longer time.

5. Bangladesh chokes:

271/5 to 288 all out – This is what the spin-pace duo of Adil Rashid and Jake ball did to the Bangladeshi batting order to miraculous rescue their team and snatch an improbable looking victory. The hosts were on course for yet another fantastic victory and extend their dominance in home condition by one more game.

Imrul Kayes played a match-defining knock and was leading from the front. By the 40th over, they were 256/4 and needed only 54 runs from 60 balls to win. the game was largely in their favor. However, Jake Ball and Adil Rashid brought an epic turnaround by rolling over the tail-enders in no time.

It all began with the twin stroke by Ball in the 42nd over where he snapped the wicket of Shakib al Hasan and Mosadekk HHossain Adil Rashid tightened the noose with the wicket of Mashrafe Mortaza and the big fish Imrul Kayes in the 43rd and 44th over to wash out all hopes of winning. A couple of overs later, Ball added Taskin Ahmed to his tally to put an end to the England innings, folding them up of 288.